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Low Player Count

Low Player Count is a now-defunct podcast devoted to thinking about, sometimes reviewing, but mostly discussing solo and two player boardgames and their place in the current board gaming culture. Instead of just doing reviews, we aim to dissect the larger boardgames industry through our discussions of one and two-player games, occasionally focusing on a specific game. We are three guys with a wide range of gaming interests and tastes, but all have an affinity for solo and two-player boardgames.
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Now displaying: Category: boardgames
Big Fun in a Little Box with Shawn: Kahuna 0
Aug 24, 2015
Having to rearrange the schedule for this week, we ended up recording a new minisode instead.
 
In Episode 2 of Big Fun in a Little Box, Shawn discusses the recent reprint of the two player Kosmos game: Kahuna!
 
Check us out
 
Music:
 
<div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" about="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Ray_Gun/Ray_Gun_-_FasterFasterBrighter"><span property="dct:title">Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter</span> (<a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/">Blue Dot Sessions</a>) / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC 4.0</a></div>
Travis Gets Heavy - Ep. 1 - The COIN Series 0
Aug 16, 2015

In Travis' first minisode, he gets heavy. The COIN series has taken the wargaming world by storm over the last few years with four massive releases covering a wide range of subjects, with at least four more currently in the works. Travis discusses how the COIN series works in the 1 and 2 player realm, including some bot rationale explanation from COIN designer Volko Ruhnke.

Tattered Board Podcast

San Diego Historical Convention

 

Check us out
Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | iTunes | Stitcher
Low Player Count - Ep. 10 - The Digital Mail Bag 0
Aug 10, 2015
In Episode 10, the Low Player Count Crew metaphorically jumps into the digital mailbag to answer your questions. Travis recaps #GenCantSoloCon. Donny recaps #GenCon. And Shawn is a bit curmudgeonly.
 
Times:
1:21 - #GenCantSoloCon
6:20 - Donny Recaps GenCon
11:12 - Kickstarter News?!
15:03 - Let’s Begin the Questions!
65:30 - The Professional CAH Group
67:35 - End Bits
 
 
Check us out
 
Music:
 
<div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" about="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Ray_Gun/Ray_Gun_-_FasterFasterBrighter"><span property="dct:title">Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter</span> (<a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/">Blue Dot Sessions</a>) / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC 4.0</a></div>
#GenCantSoloCon 2015 Recap & Prizes 0
Aug 5, 2015

Julius from the 1 Player Podcast joins Travis from the LPC Crew as we go over some numbers and the awards for #GenCantSoloCon! Thanks to all for your support and participation.

Check us out
Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | iTunes | Stitcher
LPC Variant Species Episode 1 0
Aug 2, 2015

In Variant Species Episode 1, Donny gives an overview of what he wants his minisode series to be about, while digging into his two player variant to Kennerspiel des Jahres nominee, Elysium.

You can find his variant at geauxgaming.com.

 

Check us out
 
Music:
 
<div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" about="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Ray_Gun/Ray_Gun_-_FasterFasterBrighter"><span property="dct:title">Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter</span> (<a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/">Blue Dot Sessions</a>) / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC 4.0</a></div>
Low Player Count - Ep. 9 - Digital / Analog 0
Jul 26, 2015
In Episode 9, the Low Player Count Crew is joined by the one and only Suzanne Sheldon to discuss GentCan’t and digital versus analog board gaming. We also talk about coffee snobbery and the gencantsolocon, all while having some static issues on Suzanne’s side of things.
 
Find Suzanne at @425suzanne and gencant.com.
 
Times:
1:45 - Episode 10 Questions
3:50 - Shawn gets testy
4:00 - #gencantsolocon
5:15 - 1000 Hostages Saved via Van Ryder Games
7:12 - Saving Steve
10:50 - Who is this Suzanne person?
15:19 - Digital Implementations of boardgaming
19:17 - Suzanne is Star Realms obsessed
27:20 - Apps that Work
33:50 - Apps that Don’t Work
34:30 - Shawn is crazy
46:30 - Apps that Replace the Actual Game
52:49 - The Solo Experience in Apps
65:00 - GenCan’t
76:00 - End Bits
 
 
Check us out
 
Music:
 
<div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" about="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Ray_Gun/Ray_Gun_-_FasterFasterBrighter"><span property="dct:title">Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter</span> (<a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/">Blue Dot Sessions</a>) / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC 4.0</a></div>
#GenCantSoloCon 2015 0
Jul 19, 2015

The 1 Player Podcast has teamed up with us to bring you the #GenCantSoloCon 2015 challenge from July 30 - August 2. Want to participate? Find out how here.

Check out the geeklist for all of the info.

 
Check us out

 

Low Player Count - Ep. 8 - Popular Mechanics 0
Jul 11, 2015
In Episode 8, the Low Player Count Crew asks for your questions for episode 10, tells you about the upcoming #gencantsolocon challenge we are doing with the 1 Player Podcast, and finally discusses popular mechanics and how those come into play with 1 and 2 player games.
 
Times:
1:30 - The Magic Behind the Recording
3:14 - Episode 10 Homework
5:22 - #gencantsolocon
9:06 - Donny loves The Office
10:35 - The Mechanics Rundown
12:10 - The Judging Criteria
14:14 - “Not A Good Fit” Games
Trick Taking
Role-playing/Story-Telling
Auction
Bluffing
20:16 - Solitaire Bluffing Game Challenge
21:20 - “Honorable Mentions” Games
Press Your Luck
Set Collection
Programming
27:34 - Forbidden Star Wars Imperial Armada
Tableau Building
30:20 - San Juan Shout-outs
Hand/Resource Management
Pick Up and Deliver
38:50 - “Shining Stars” Games
Deck Building
Worker Placement
46:00 - Minor File Corruption
Tile Placement
Area Control
CDGs
52:00 - Shawn had Tacos for Lunch
Card Drafting
Action Selection
70:00 - End Bits
 
 
Check us out
 
Music:
 
<div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" about="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Ray_Gun/Ray_Gun_-_FasterFasterBrighter"><span property="dct:title">Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter</span> (<a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/">Blue Dot Sessions</a>) / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC 4.0</a></div>
Big Fun in a Little Box with Shawn: Pixel Tactics & Valley of the Kings 0
Jul 6, 2015

Big Fun in a Little Box with Shawn

In this minisode, Shawn gives a quick overview and review of Pixel Tactics & Valley of the Kings.

The point of minisodes is to give listeners a small 5-15 minute episode in-between full-length episodes, that is devoted more to reviews, news, and more.

Check us out
Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | iTunes | Stitcher
 
Music:
 
<div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" about="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Ray_Gun/Ray_Gun_-_FasterFasterBrighter"><span property="dct:title">Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter</span> (<a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/">Blue Dot Sessions</a>) / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC 4.0</a></div>
Low Player Count - Ep. 7 - The Good, The Bad, and the Dummy 0
Jun 29, 2015
In Episode 7, 2/3 of the Low Player Count crew discuss the LPC Microcosm giveaway, streaming of videos, and the addition of mini-sodes to the podcast. We also tackle the good and bad of dummy players in solo and two player games.
 
Times:
1:50 - Texas is Hot
2:20 - The Contest is over
7:54 - Mini-sodes for everyone!
9:40 - Travis doesn’t understand technology
12:20 - Donny likes Periscope
14:43 - What is a Dummy Player?
20:10 - Two Player Variants
25:10 - Player Counts on the Box
28:50 - Why Dummy Players?
37:20 - Passive Dummy Player AI
44:00 - How Solo Games Gets Passed Dummies
49:20 - Active AI Dummy Players
52:03 - What Games Do You Want a Variant for?
61:23 - What Game Would You Love to See?
62:45 - The Winner of #LPCMicrocosm
63:25 - End Bits
 
Check us out
 
Music:
 
<div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" about="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Ray_Gun/Ray_Gun_-_FasterFasterBrighter"><span property="dct:title">Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter</span> (<a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/">Blue Dot Sessions</a>) / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC 4.0</a></div>
Low Player Count - Ep. 5 - geringe Anzahl Spieler and the Spiel des Jahres 0
Jun 1, 2015
In Episode 5, the Low Player Count crew discusses the recent Spiel des Jahres nominations and wonder about the inclusion (or exclusion) of solo and two-player only games. We also announce the winner of the Onirim giveaway.
 
Check us out
 
Times:
1:07 - Let’s Talk About the Weather
2:19 - Onirim Giveaway Stats
2:47 - Donny fills in what Travis & Shawn missed
4:44 - Spiel des Jahres
5:38 - Shawn makes a special announcement
7:00 - Spiel Criteria
9:58 - Why are there not many 2 player games in the SdJ?
13:00 - Rosenberg dominates the 2 player recommendations
18:15 - Wargames in the SdJ?
21:50 - Solo games in SdJ
28:05 - #SylvionKdJ2015
31:09 - Donny brings his own SdJ thoughts
37:57 - Donny does KSdJ
43:40 - Donny discusses 1-2 player games
49:17 - New & Noteworthy on iTunes!
 
 
Music:
 
<div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" about="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Ray_Gun/Ray_Gun_-_FasterFasterBrighter"><span property="dct:title">Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter</span> (<a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/">Blue Dot Sessions</a>) / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC 4.0</a></div>
Low Player Count - Ep. 4 - Getting Ready for 'Sommer' Vacation 0
May 18, 2015

In Episode 4, the Low Player Count crew is joined by the one and only Rich Sommer as we discuss traveling with board games, and they talk about a lot of them, too! They also talk about their gaming nightmares and remind you to enter into the Onirim Giveaway found on lowplayercount.com.

 
Check us out
 
Times:
1:32 - Onirim Contest
3:27 - What are our Gaming Nightmares?
7:57 - “Agreed"
8:38 - “What’s good to travel with?"
9:58 - Rich Sommer chats about Cardboard! with Rich Sommer
11:48 - The 1st Expletive on the Show
14:48 - What Rich takes with him when he travels
17:34 - Game-packing tips by Shawn: He doesn’t have any.
21:30 - Print n Play Shoutout
23:30 - Rich doesn’t bring Crokinole
26:10 - Rich knows his water sports
28:20 - What solo games we would take
32:52 - What 2 player games we would take
36:20 - Rich likes game stores & geocaching
38:15 - The best bar in America is in New York, according to Rich
39:45 - Rich & Travis geek out about wargames & history
41:50 - Do we visit game stores when we travel?
47:45 - “You can all go to hell. I’m going to Fuddrucker’s.”
48:23 - Rich tells his awesome travel secret
49:40 - Digital vs. Analog in travel
52:25 - Travis claps excitedly about Rich’s order
56:00 - End Bits
 
Find Rich Sommer at:
Cardboard! with Rich Sommer
cardboard.wolfpop.com
@Cardboardcast
cardboardcast@gmail.com
 
 
Music:
 
<div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" about="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Ray_Gun/Ray_Gun_-_FasterFasterBrighter"><span property="dct:title">Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter</span> (<a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/">Blue Dot Sessions</a>) / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC 4.0</a></div>
Low Player Count - What's Your Gaming Nightmare? Giveaway! 0
May 10, 2015

Hot off the heels of Episode 3 and heading into Episode 4, we felt a giveaway is in order. Listen to find out how you can enter!

Check us out
Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | iTunes | Stitcher
 
Music:
 
<div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" about="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Ray_Gun/Ray_Gun_-_FasterFasterBrighter"><span property="dct:title">Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter</span> (<a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/">Blue Dot Sessions</a>) / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC 4.0</a></div>
Low Player Count - Ep. 3 - High Score vs. Objective - FIGHT! 0
May 4, 2015

In Episode 3, the Low Player Count crew discusses the nominees for the best Two-Player games in the 2014 Dice Tower Awards, while coming up with a solo BGGCon meet-up. They also tackle a tough question: “How do you like your solo game to end, by reaching an objective or by hitting a high score?” Watch the sparks fly in this episode! Or rather, listen to them… Not watch.

 
Check us out
 
Times:
1:30 - Some Technical Issues
4:05 - Guild Discussions, Two-Player Survey, Periscope
5:21 - The Dice Tower Awards: Best Two-Player Game
9:40 - Donny’s Acquisition Disorder
18:19 - Our Predictions
21:00 - High Score vs. Objective - FIGHT!
24:23 - Shawn Reminisces about Pac-Man
26:40 - #FoASolo Challenge
29:20 - A BGGCon Solo gaming experience?
33:39 - Victory Point Based Endgame
46:20 - Games with an Endgame Objective
55:45 - Bad Advice from Good Friends
58:17 - Games with an Objective and Victory Points
64:33 - Travis Reminisces about his Anger Issues
65:23 - Our Personal Verdicts
68:25 - Donny Drinks Disgusting Coffee
70:23 - End Bits
 
Music:
 
<div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" about="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Ray_Gun/Ray_Gun_-_FasterFasterBrighter"><span property="dct:title">Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter</span> (<a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/">Blue Dot Sessions</a>) / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC 4.0</a></div>
Low Player Count - Ep. 2 - I Know What You Did Last Turn 0
Apr 19, 2015

In Episode 2, the Low Player Count crew discusses International TableTop Day and the differences in hidden vs. perfect information in solitaire and two-player boardgames. Despite Travis not understanding how to record properly, the guys plugged away. 

Check us out
Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | iTunes | Stitcher
 
Times:
1:30 - International TableTop Day
4:00 - Madness Games & Comics Dent & Ding Sale
5:45 - Back to TableTop Day
9:37 - Breaking promises since 2015
9:57 - DFW Nerd Night Charity (DFWNN.org)
14:30 - The Question of Known vs. Hidden Information
17:50 - Two-Player Games: BattleCon
24:20 - Yinsh
28:00 - Top Ranked Abstract Games
28:51 - Hidden Information & Balancing
35:08 - Solitaire Player Games: States of Siege games
38:17 - Glass Road
41:44 - Mage Knight (again!)
47:20 - The Problem of AI Bots: Cuba Libre 
54:20 - Hostage Negotiator
58:45 - End bits
 

Music:
Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0

Low Player Count - Ep. 1 - Getting to Know You 0
Apr 5, 2015

Episode One - Getting to Know You

Welcome to Low Player Count, a podcast about boardgames playable with two or fewer. This episode Donny, Shawn, and Travis share the Low Player Count Mission statement, a bit about who we are, and what some of our favorite solitaire and two-player games are.

Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | iTunes


Times:
2:30 - The Twitter Hype
3:50 - Season Finale of LPC
4:00 - The LPC Mission Statement
10:15 - A Note to Publishers
10:30 - How the Guys got into Tabletop Games
27:37 - Our Ideal Solo Player Games
50:07 - Our Ideal Two-Player Games
71:00 - Sign Off

Theme Music: 
Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0
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